John was a highly influential politician in his day. He was elected MP for [{East Retford]] in 1734, a seat he held until 1761. He was strongly Whig in his outlook and a staunch supporter of Henry Pelham and the Duke of Newcastle, who were the Prime Ministers between 1744 and 1756. In particular he exercised great influence over the Duke of Newcastle, who was a close friend of both John and his late father, Thomas.

Each season John would travel in great state to London in a coach and six, attended by a throng of servants and outriders. The park at Wallingwells was well stocked with deer and its ponds teaming with fish.

When at Wallingwells, John was keen on hunting and showed generous hospitality to his guests from London and beyond. It was he who was responsible for building the grotto on the edge of one of the ponds just south of the house.

John White died on 7th September 1769 unmarried. He was succeeded by his younger brother Taylor White.